Test Development Coordinator, Math

23435BR

Achievement & Assessment Inst

Position Overview

Accessible Teaching, Learning and Assessment Systems (ATLAS) promotes learning and improved outcomes for all students and their educators. Our primary focus is supporting students with disabilities and struggling learners. We create technology-based learning and assessment systems that are accessible and academically rigorous.

We specialize in map-based learning systems, informed by research on skill development, assessment design, and teacher professional development. Every program and project in our diverse portfolio of operational and grant-funded research strategically aligns with our student- and educator-focused mission. Our work is also supported by multiple strategic partnerships with organizations that share our focus and commitment to quality learning experiences for all students.

In addition to grant-funded research projects, ATLAS develops and delivers state assessments. Our largest assessment system is the Dynamic Learning Maps® (DLM®) Alternate Assessment System. DLM alternate assessments are designed to assess students with the most significant cognitive disabilities in English language arts, mathematics, and science. We also offer custom social studies alternate assessments. Our broader state assessments include the Kansas Assessment Program and the Kansas English Language Proficiency Assessment.

As an organization, ATLAS is committed to creating policies and practices that foster a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment in which all employees feel they belong and can succeed.

ATLAS is seeking a test development coordinator for our mathematics team.  The test development coordinator will participate in and/or coordinate test development efforts from initial writing to final operational test form construction for standards-based assessments.  The coordinator will ensure that mathematics assessment questions support valid interpretations of test scores, adhere to industry best practices, and appropriately elicit observable evidence of targeted cognition as described by curricular standards.  

Successful applicants will demonstrate deep and thorough expertise with the next generation mathematics standards (the Common Core) and standardized approaches to collecting evidence of student mastery of curricular standards. They will demonstrate the ability to prioritize and manage multiple objectives and to pay strict attention to detailed tasks. 

KU offers great benefits to employees with up to 176 hours of paid vacation per year, 72 hours of sick leave earned per year, nine paid holidays plus one discretionary day, a retirement program, medical & dental insurance, life and disability insurance, other benefit plan options and State of Kansas discounts offered by various vendors. KU also offers employees educational and professional development opportunities. KU is a great place to work! See benefits.ku.edu for more details.

Job Description

55%: Coordinating and organizing test development efforts, processes, and documentation.
Activities may include: 

• Collaborating on test and item designs for innovative mathematics assessments
• Coordinating workflow for mathematics content at multiple stages of the test development process
• Managing the test item pool
• Assembling and/or reviewing field test and operational test forms to meet blueprint, test design, and psychometric criteria
• Assisting at meetings with clients to review blueprints, test items, scheduling, etc.
• Contributing to the identification, analysis, and improvement of existing processes and documentation to improve efficiency or meet best practice standards
• Preparing, reviewing, and editing test blueprints, performance level descriptors, responses to RFPs, and technical reports
• Collaborating with the psychometric and technology teams to create ancillary testing materials, such as interpretive guides, score reports, and website documents

35%: Ensuring expectations for validity, fairness, and quality assurance for items are met.  

Activities may include: 

• Reviewing and refining vendor and/or internally-created items in accordance with internal and external deadlines
• Helping to resolve client feedback on test items and test forms
• Designing training for item writers, internal staff, and external reviewers
• Contributing to the identification, analysis, and improvement of existing processes and documentation to improve content validity

5%: Contribute subject matter expertise to grant-funded projects led by Lead Researchers and Principle Investigators.

5%: Other duties as assigned.

Position Requirements

• This position allows for a telework or hybrid work location. A telework position may be required to travel to Lawrence up to four times per year.
• This position will require attendance at regularly scheduled meetings, onsite or through telecommunication platforms.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mathematics, education, or related field and 3 years of teaching, large-scale assessment, or curriculum development experience or Master’s degree and 1 year of teaching, large-scale assessment, or curriculum development experience.
• At least one year of experience applying knowledge of the next generation curricular standards to instruction, curriculum, or assessment.
• At least one year of experience designing or developing standardized assessments in an item management system that collects evidence of student mastery of curricular standards.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English as evidenced by application materials and interview.
• At least one year of experience using technology including Microsoft Office products, Skype, Zoom, and/or other web-based systems as evidenced in application materials.

Preferred Qualifications

• Graduate degree in mathematics, education, or related field.
• At least 3 years of experience applying knowledge of the next generation curricular standards to instruction, curriculum, or assessment.
• At least one year of teaching or curriculum development experience in mathematics.
• At least one year of teaching and/or assessment experience with students with special needs.
• At least one year of experience with peer-to-peer mentoring.

Additional Candidate Instruction

A complete application includes an online application, your résumé, a letter detailing your professional experiences that align with the required and preferred qualifications, and contact information for three professional references.

Only complete applications will be considered.

Review of applications begins 09/26/2022 and continues as needed to collect a pool of qualified applicants.  For first consideration, please apply by the application review date.

Advertised Salary Range

$55,000 and commensurate with experience

Application Review Begins

26-Sep-2022

Anticipated Start Date

31-Oct-2022

Primary Campus

University of Kansas Lawrence Campus

Employee Class

U-Unclassified Professional Staff

Conditions of Employment

Contingent on Funding

Work Location Assignment

Hybrid

Disclaimer

The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression, and genetic information in the university’s programs and activities. Retaliation is also prohibited by university policy. The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies and are the Title IX coordinators for their respective campuses: Director of the Office of Civil Rights & Title IX, civilrights@ku.edu, Room 1082, Dole Human Development Center, 1000 Sunnyside Avenue, Lawrence, KS 66045, 785-864-6414, 711 TTY (for the Lawrence, Edwards, Parsons, Yoder, and Topeka campuses); Director, Equal Opportunity Office, Mail Stop 7004, 4330 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Fairway, KS 66205, 913-588-8011, 711 TTY (for the Wichita, Salina, and Kansas City, Kansas medical center campuses).